What do you think?
Toby Tyler; Or, Ten Weeks with a Circus
"Wouldn't you give more 'n six peanuts for a cent?" was a question asked by a very small boy, with big, staring eyes, of a candy vender at a circus booth. And as he spoke he looked wistfully at the quantity of nuts piled high up on the basket, and then at the six, each of which now looked so small as he held them in his hand.
94 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1880
About the author
James Otis
291 books9 followersJames Otis Kaler was an American journalist and author of children’s literature, primarily in the boys' adventure genre. The vast majority of his works were published under the name James Otis, but he also wrote as Amy Prentice, Harry Prentice, and Lt. James K. Orton.
His works include the Boy Spies series, the Navy Boys series, the Minute Boys series, a number of historical novels published by the American Book Company, and more than thirty novels about life in New York State.
His works include the Boy Spies series, the Navy Boys series, the Minute Boys series, a number of historical novels published by the American Book Company, and more than thirty novels about life in New York State.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
September 16, 2017
Cleanliness:
Children's Bad Words
Mild Obscenities & Substitutions - 1 Incident: stupid
Name Calling - 1 Incident: lazybones
Religious & Supernatural - None
Conversation Topics - 5 Incidents: A boy is ungrateful and decides to runaway from home and join the circus. He deeply regrets his decision, learns much by it and returns home. A man "launched more oaths at his defenseless head then Toby had ever heard in his life." Mentions one or two other times that the man swore but does not give details. There are three mean masters at the circus that beat and/or whip Toby often and unjustly. Several circus men are greedy, cheat people out of quality goods, lie and are generally bad men. They are portrayed very negatively. A man sees Toby talking often with a monkey and as Toby often says he thinks the monkey understands what he is saying, the man has a discussion with him to make sure the boy understands he's only an animal. He kindly reprimands him to make sure he does not tend toward any "heathen" thinking.
Romance Related - 5 Incidents: A girl kisses a boy on his face out of gratitude. Again, a girl kisses a boy on his face out of gratitude. A boy, wishing to say goodbye to a girl, but finds her asleep, kisses the skirt of her dress. The word "bosom" is used to mean chest or heart a few times. The word “breast” is used to mean chest a few times.
Attitudes/Disobedience - 2 Incidents: A boy blames a man for his falling asleep although it was his own fault. A boy is upset and angry about his monkey being accidentally shot, and tells the man who shot him that he "hates him." He later apologizes.
Parent Takeaway
This is a wonderful story and presents many valuable lessons of "what not to do" - a great read-loud for families as it would provide so much for conversation.
After Toby runs away to the circus, he realizes that all that glitters is not gold and that it isn't always better somewhere else. His masters are cruel to him and beat him regularly for no reason at all. He learns to work incredibly hard to avoid making them mad (which at home he knows he was often lazy). He immediately regrets his ingratitude for the home he left and plans to return and be a better boy for it. He learns many other great lessons before he can escape back home.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! You’ll see my updates as I’m reading and know which books I’m liking and what I’m not finishing and why. You’ll also be able to utilize my library for looking up titles to see whether the book you’re thinking about reading next has any objectionable content or not. From swear words, to romance, to bad attitudes (in children’s books), I cover it all!
Children's Bad Words
Mild Obscenities & Substitutions - 1 Incident: stupid
Name Calling - 1 Incident: lazybones
Religious & Supernatural - None
Conversation Topics - 5 Incidents: A boy is ungrateful and decides to runaway from home and join the circus. He deeply regrets his decision, learns much by it and returns home. A man "launched more oaths at his defenseless head then Toby had ever heard in his life." Mentions one or two other times that the man swore but does not give details. There are three mean masters at the circus that beat and/or whip Toby often and unjustly. Several circus men are greedy, cheat people out of quality goods, lie and are generally bad men. They are portrayed very negatively. A man sees Toby talking often with a monkey and as Toby often says he thinks the monkey understands what he is saying, the man has a discussion with him to make sure the boy understands he's only an animal. He kindly reprimands him to make sure he does not tend toward any "heathen" thinking.
Romance Related - 5 Incidents: A girl kisses a boy on his face out of gratitude. Again, a girl kisses a boy on his face out of gratitude. A boy, wishing to say goodbye to a girl, but finds her asleep, kisses the skirt of her dress. The word "bosom" is used to mean chest or heart a few times. The word “breast” is used to mean chest a few times.
Attitudes/Disobedience - 2 Incidents: A boy blames a man for his falling asleep although it was his own fault. A boy is upset and angry about his monkey being accidentally shot, and tells the man who shot him that he "hates him." He later apologizes.
Parent Takeaway
This is a wonderful story and presents many valuable lessons of "what not to do" - a great read-loud for families as it would provide so much for conversation.
After Toby runs away to the circus, he realizes that all that glitters is not gold and that it isn't always better somewhere else. His masters are cruel to him and beat him regularly for no reason at all. He learns to work incredibly hard to avoid making them mad (which at home he knows he was often lazy). He immediately regrets his ingratitude for the home he left and plans to return and be a better boy for it. He learns many other great lessons before he can escape back home.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! You’ll see my updates as I’m reading and know which books I’m liking and what I’m not finishing and why. You’ll also be able to utilize my library for looking up titles to see whether the book you’re thinking about reading next has any objectionable content or not. From swear words, to romance, to bad attitudes (in children’s books), I cover it all!
September 16, 2014
The Wonderful World of Disney version of this story gave me a great deal of enjoyment when I was child, so I'm a little surprised that I never got around to reading the actual book before.
The storytelling style is quite old-fashioned, and the theme is rather Victorian: even living in a foster home is better than being a circus star. Although I enjoyed the story on its own terms, as an adult, I found Toby's overall situation to be very troubling. It was difficult for me to sympathize with his persistent desire to go "home" to a foster parent who had constantly verbally abused him, especially once he had achieved enough status and fame in the circus to avoid any further physical and verbal abuse from the bad guys there. It's easy to see why Disney made some changes to the story.
July 6, 2026
I first read this book when I was a young teen. I loved both it and the Disney movie that is based on Otis' 1881 novel (that was serialized in 1877). My grandmother had gifted me my mom's copy of the title when she realized how much I enjoyed it and I kept it on my shelf for forever. Sadly, I don't know what happened to it, but I wish I still had it!
Bookmonkey Press is re-releasing this classic with editing updates to bring it up to speed for a modern audience. (Grammar and punctuation has been updated. As to the story itself, the scenes wherein Toby is being mistreated at the hands of his circus masters are toned down.)
I read this book aloud to my kids and they all enjoyed it. One of them likened it to Old Yeller and Charlotte's Web. There is sadness at the death of an animal, but the characters are so winsome and enjoyable that they didn't mind. This was a very fun adventurous story which held their attention quite well.
Bookmonkey Press is re-releasing this classic with editing updates to bring it up to speed for a modern audience. (Grammar and punctuation has been updated. As to the story itself, the scenes wherein Toby is being mistreated at the hands of his circus masters are toned down.)
I read this book aloud to my kids and they all enjoyed it. One of them likened it to Old Yeller and Charlotte's Web. There is sadness at the death of an animal, but the characters are so winsome and enjoyable that they didn't mind. This was a very fun adventurous story which held their attention quite well.
March 12, 2026
Too much abuse not enough circus
June 27, 2014
It's funny what memories from childhood stick with us so clearly: I remember one time at our local library, my mother reached onto the top shelf to bring down a yellowed copy of "Toby Tyler" and recommended it to me. I remember that it looked so huge and the print was so small, but I was determined to tackle it because she said it was so good. I'm sure I did finish it, but having now listened to an audio version, I remembered none of the actually story (other than the fact that Toby runs away from home to join a circus, but you can figure that out from the title :P). I'm glad I have that memory of my mom recommending it though, because I can't remember any other time hearing about this title and I might not have chosen it again now! And it was a wonderfully entertaining tale: Toby runs away from an orphans' home when a circus is in town and the circus peanut-seller needs a boy to help in his stand. Toby is thrilled by the idea, but of course once they leave town, it is nothing like what he expected. His new boss is cruel, but he makes many friends among the performers: Ben, the old man who drives the wagon, the Skeleton and the Fat Lady, and a little girl named Ella who rides the horses with her mother. He also forms a very close bond with one of the monkeys, Mr. Stubbs. Mr. Stubbs acts as all monkeys would: at times almost human, but at others very mischievous. But enough about Mr. Stubbs - the moral of the story was that of course, there's no place like home, and Toby eventually runs away from the circus and makes his way back to Uncle Daniel and all the boys where he truly belongs.
June 3, 2014
Toby Tyler is an orphan who lives on a farm with "Uncle Dan'l" (who isn't really his uncle) and the "other fellers." Toby eats a lot for a boy his size and isn't the most diligent worker. The circus comes to the small town and Toby is seduced by the concessionaire into working for him.
Toby soon realizes his mistake, but is stuck with his decision. Old Ben, the wagon driver, tells Toby to work hard, make the best of the bad situation, and save his money for a ticket home. Ben also prevents Toby's boss from beating and abusing him--at least while Ben is around.
Toby also makes friends with an old monkey that he names "Mr. Stubbs." Toby is convinced Mr. Stubbs understands everything Toby tells him. His other friends are The Living Skeleton and his wife, The Fat Lady, who treat Toby as their child. And Ella, a young girl his age who is a trick rider.
Toby learns some important lessons along the way, including "there's no place like home." He also learns about hard work, responsibility, and how to ride.
tT
The ending is different from the Disney movie of the same name, along with some other changes to the story. The physical abuse in the book is gone and there is a rival for Toby's affections for Ella/Jeanette. The language is ungrammatical, as you might expect from a traveling circus. The story isn't shy about its moral--Toby's decisions lead to a hard life and heartache. But he owns up to them and grows up. I'm not sure what today's kids would think of the story, although the idea of running away and life being better somewhere else is universal.
BTW, we named our dog, Toby, after the main character. Hubs and I both enjoyed Kevin Corcoran's portrayal of the title character in the movie version.
Toby soon realizes his mistake, but is stuck with his decision. Old Ben, the wagon driver, tells Toby to work hard, make the best of the bad situation, and save his money for a ticket home. Ben also prevents Toby's boss from beating and abusing him--at least while Ben is around.
Toby also makes friends with an old monkey that he names "Mr. Stubbs." Toby is convinced Mr. Stubbs understands everything Toby tells him. His other friends are The Living Skeleton and his wife, The Fat Lady, who treat Toby as their child. And Ella, a young girl his age who is a trick rider.
Toby learns some important lessons along the way, including "there's no place like home." He also learns about hard work, responsibility, and how to ride.
tT
The ending is different from the Disney movie of the same name, along with some other changes to the story. The physical abuse in the book is gone and there is a rival for Toby's affections for Ella/Jeanette. The language is ungrammatical, as you might expect from a traveling circus. The story isn't shy about its moral--Toby's decisions lead to a hard life and heartache. But he owns up to them and grows up. I'm not sure what today's kids would think of the story, although the idea of running away and life being better somewhere else is universal.
BTW, we named our dog, Toby, after the main character. Hubs and I both enjoyed Kevin Corcoran's portrayal of the title character in the movie version.
April 27, 2021
This was the first chapter book I ever read. It was given to me by my teacher in Newark after I asked to borrow it again and again, and it was precious to me. I don’t know how many times I read and re-read it though I know it was a lot. Now at age 67 I found a copy and read it yet again. I remembered only that Toby’s dear little monkey was named Mr. Stubbs, and that Mr. Stubbs dies near the end, to Toby’s great distress. A book written in the 1880’s remains cherished in 2021. A lifetime of reading pleasure began here.
March 12, 2016
A timeless classic!
I read Toby Tyler as a child. I laughed and cried with him. Now I am reading it as a grandmother to her young ones and again, we laughed and cried.
I read Toby Tyler as a child. I laughed and cried with him. Now I am reading it as a grandmother to her young ones and again, we laughed and cried.
March 21, 2016
Juvenile. Boring. Slightly disturbing at times, scenes bordering on animal abuse... One star for the almost sad ending...
June 3, 2018
I’d give it more like a 2.75 rating. This is one instance where the movie was a lot better than the book. Was a bit tough to read even for a short story
January 1, 2013
What boy doesn't think of running away at least once? For Toby his wish becomes a reality when the circus hits town, although he is repentant of his decision before he even leaves. The orphaned boy grows to understand more about love and friendship while navigating the perils of the circus life and dealing with his abusive masters. He pours out his heart and soul to Mr. Stubbs, the little monkey who becomes his best friend. There is a lot of suspense for the young reader in each chapter and this would be a great bedtime read at home for boys 7 - 12, and enjoyable fun, escape reading for teens. The basic premise that a young boy could run away and kept at the circus with none of the adults actively sending him back home is unthinkable for the modern reader; the quaint, naiveté of the era permeates the book. The author must have based the book on a local lad, Albert H. Lunt, of Hampden, ME, who ran off to join the circus as wayward youth of 13. James Otis, author, was from the nearby town of Winterport, ME, and eventually became the superintendent of the S. Portland, ME schools. He wrote over 200 children's books, and Toby Tyler is his most famous. This is the first of his books I have read, but I plan to read more of them. I've met adults here in Maine who tell me this was required reading in school, and/or that their teacher read it aloud to the class.
February 19, 2012
This book surprised me with how entertaining it is. Toby Tyler is so darn lovable. He is so innocent and kind to the characters he meets. It's easy to follow his thoughts and emmotions during the whole story.
I was soooo sad when I read how Mr. Stubbs dies (I wanted Toby to be able to keep that little monkey)! I really think that many people view their pets and their pet's intelligence in the same manner that Toby reguards Mr. Stubbs (I believe that my dog listens to and understands me). That reguard for his pet makes Toby seem innocent and lovable.
Though Toby doesn't feel like he is a well-spoken boy to anyone other than Mr. Stubbs, he does succeed in expressing his emotions and thoughts to the characters (and audience) very well. He shows sadness, anger, curiosity, happiness and remorse in childish abandonment. I think some of Toby's childish responses remind me of how I feel sometimes when I'm confronted with dificult situations. For instance: I've never run away to the circus, but I've certainly thought about it.:)
I was soooo sad when I read how Mr. Stubbs dies (I wanted Toby to be able to keep that little monkey)! I really think that many people view their pets and their pet's intelligence in the same manner that Toby reguards Mr. Stubbs (I believe that my dog listens to and understands me). That reguard for his pet makes Toby seem innocent and lovable.
Though Toby doesn't feel like he is a well-spoken boy to anyone other than Mr. Stubbs, he does succeed in expressing his emotions and thoughts to the characters (and audience) very well. He shows sadness, anger, curiosity, happiness and remorse in childish abandonment. I think some of Toby's childish responses remind me of how I feel sometimes when I'm confronted with dificult situations. For instance: I've never run away to the circus, but I've certainly thought about it.:)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2016
Toby Tyler runs away from Father Daniel to join the circus . It's not very awesome. The candy sellers are cruel. He gets whipped and beaten. Toby's only friend is an old monkey who appears sympathetic (but, ya know, is just a monkey). Originally was published as a serial in a magazine. Very much every reason to never run away with the circus, which may or may not have been a problem at the time of publication. Cool story. AVOID THE CIRCUS.
March 17, 2008
Rachel and Joshua really enjoyed this story of a boy running away and joining the circus, written in the late 1800's. I was shocked by the amount of child abuse in this book, as Toby is punished by cruel circus workers. But he makes good friends, too, who help him eventually run away. The Disney movie version of this story is not so violent.
September 26, 2013
This was one of my favorite movies when I was a kid. The book was only okay. It was really harsh and had a lot less of the love that you find in the movie. The story of realizing that you made a mistake and trying to make it better was good, but I don't think I would give this story to a kid to read.
December 31, 2013
"Good bye, cruel world, I'm off to join a circus…" Romantic notion and then, Wham! the circus master is not all he should be, etc. Too predictable and sentimental to be read by children over 8-10 years of age. Thought "Under the Lilacs" did a better job of handling the problems but then I prefer LMA to Otis.
August 3, 2007
I think the monkey...the monkey dies...? Or is trained to strangle and...the circus leaves town before the detective catches on? I dunno. It was the 1980s. That was Interchangeable Plot No. 2 (No. 1 was Stranger Comes to Town, Finds Love in Unlikeliest Spot).
February 19, 2011
One of my grade-school teachers used to read to us every day and I remember listening to this and enjoying it. I think I probably re-read it myself at least a few times. I suspect we would find it very dated now.
June 17, 2011
How could I not read a book with one of my children's names in the title? And it's also titled Ten Weeks in the Circus! The story itself is pretty charming, and old fashioned. I think it could have been half as long and still been as effective in the story.
October 28, 2012
If this is the first time you come across this theme, I guess it would be more enjoyable (i.e. for a child) but I found it a bit tiring - Toby regrets his decision pretty much the moment he makes it, so has not much fun with his adventure.
August 12, 2013
Another one of those children's books that seem really brutal for tender sensibilities. I liked the Alcott Under the Lilacs much more for the circus theme, although I learned a lot more about how the circus used to operate. The ending was a big letdown.
August 31, 2013
There is something magical about this book. The fact that I remember it more than fifty years after I read it says something. If you know young readers, be they children or grandchildren, do them a favor and get them this book. A true classic.
March 16, 2016
The movie is nothing to the book! Poor Toby Tyler has joined the circus and expects it to be most enjoyable. Boy was he wrong! He gets whipped, forced to learn to ride, and loses all his money. If you want to know more about Toby Tyler, start reading. :)
September 2, 2007
HAVEN'T WE ALL WANTED TO RUN AWAY TO THE CIRCUS. AREN'T WE ALL LIVING IN A CIRCUS ANYWAYS?
November 16, 2007
Nostalgic... brings back memories of my childhood, as well as of an era long before I was born.
April 10, 2008
I didn't read it but someone read it to us in class in primary school in Belgium. I saw the movie and I loved it.
April 11, 2008
One of my favorites as a kid.
June 18, 2008
Since me and the kids all went to the circus I thought it would be a fun book to read with them, I read it back when I was in 4th or 5th grade and remembered liking it.
August 4, 2008
I hate clowns, but I loved this book!
October 29, 2008
My kids love these books
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews